Shingle Froe Tool, 15in Splitting Froe Blade with 18in Froe Knife Handle – Froe Axe, Kindling Axe, Wood Froe Tool

I have read all the reviews of all the splitting froe's on Amazon and picked this one after weighting all the pro's and con's. That being said, we all use our tools differently, some with experience and other's with none and that has to be taken in to account also when gleaning knowledge from the reviews... I have 70+ years experience in woodworking tools and have cut and split enough firewood in that time to know a decent splitting froe from a poorly constructed one. This one has a mildly hardened blade with just enough temper to maintain an adequate edge, the weld is very well done and the handle I wrapped with a couple of wraps of duct tape before setting the head to the blade, I do not permanently attach my froe handles, yes it will loosen but it can be set with just a tap with the wood mallet or on the block to quickly reset it, I prefer it that way... I used my angle grinder to put a 20-25* angle on both sides of the blade, again my personal preference and also how I know about the blade steel toughness and temper. The single edge already on it is used for splitting shingles. I use my tools severely and I have literally beat the h&ll out of this splitting froe (with a heavy WOODEN mallet never use a metal hammer on a splitting froe blade) and it has passed with flying colors. Remember the splitting froe is not for splitting knotty chunks of hardwood, use an axe for that! Good luck!

Ok, at the price point, it's not a bad starter or toss away Chinesium tool. Mine just arrived today, I really didn't expect a lot and it didn't surprise me. The handle is reasonable. I've hit mine with a coat of teak oil, I figure it's going to live outside at the firepit for a couple weeks so teak would be a reasonable helper. If it were primarily an indoor use tool, I'd have probably gone with boiled linseed. The blade... Yes it's steel is a little wavey, kinda more of a Queens wave than a caffeinated three year olds wave. The edge itself though comes out flat after filing off the copious paint. And really, it's a FROE, not a planer or chisel. These are primarily to knock a chunk of wood off a larger chunk of wood, that split follows grain lines mostly. If you're after a mill quality first cut, it'll need a saw mill, save up and buy one of those instead. It appears capable of completing it's intended task of making one chunk of wood into two with a reasonably flat side that can be planed or draw-knifed flat. The steel... It's not the best, it's also nowhere near the price of a high carbon carbide edged one either. The steel feels kinda soft under the file, the fix is don't use a metal based hammer to drive it through the cut... If you're fresh out of mallets, a chunk of kindling works as well for the last few hundred years.This review isn't paid for by anyone, they'd want thier money back. I'm also not targeting any of the previous reviews, simply offering my honest opinion regarding the points I read prior to buying myself. I am sure that the weld is likely to fail at some point, when it does I'll buy another maybe of a different brand or style depending, of course, on my continued need of a froe. In any case, I'll have a reasonable hunk of sharp steel and a beater stick.

Seems to have taken me for ever to get all the paint off this froe. Once I did, and I got it sharpened up, it works great. I just wonder why all that heavy paint. You can't use it with the paint on it, and a light coat would have been much easier to get off. Once past that frustration, it will help split a lot of wood in it lifetime with me I am sure.

This froe is possibly a good value for the money, but I definitely have trouble with the one I received. A couple of items of note..First, I have used other froes before. But my old one of iron is on its last leg. I also use them "correctly" with a maul (made from a dogwood tree trunk) instead of a metal hammer. As such, I understand that a froe should not be heavily sharpened as the blade will tend to chip...particularly if the steel is too hard.The metal in this froe seems to be tempered a bit hard. I am not sure if the chinese manufacturers meant that or were trying for a chisel temper. It is lightweight, but that kind of works against you as this froe has quite a bit more glancing-blow vibration than iron froes. Unfortunately, I have yet to completely split a piece of oak from some firewood. I have tried splitting some 1 year old firewood wedges that are about 5 inches in width. It goes down in about 2 inches and gets stuck. The thin blade doesn't have enough wedging force to keep it from completely binding. I'm not going to hit it with a metal hammer and bend over the top of the blade. Plus, I would guess that the resulting vibration of hitting it with metal would be something to avoid.

It is very easy to use, and very sturdy. I like the length of a handle when making spoon . It allows an even cut across the log making less waste. I love the product.